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Gonzales OKs purchase of Type 1 fire engine, cites bid exceptions and grants to cover cost
Summary
Council adopted Resolution No. 2025‑54 to dispense with bidding procedures and authorize purchase of a Type 1 fire engine from Fire Apparatus Solutions for up to $750,000, funded by a $630,000 CDBG award and $120,000 from Measure K.
The Gonzales City Council adopted a resolution on July 21 authorizing the purchase of a Type 1 fire engine from Fire Apparatus Solutions for an amount not to exceed $750,000 and dispensing with the city’s normal competitive‑bid procedures under cited code exceptions.
A staff presenter described the department’s operational needs and the deteriorating condition of the city’s current Type 1 engines, which he said are 18 and 22 years old. The presenter said the department had repeatedly sought FEMA and Department of Homeland Security grant funding since 2014 without success, and that the city instead obtained $630,000 from the County of Monterey through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. City staff requested the remaining $120,000 from Measure K, and the Measure K committee and council approved that request at a June meeting, the presenter said.
The staff report cited Gonzales City Code section 3.16.0.05 and said two exceptions applied: (1) an emergency exception for breakdowns or essential services that protect public health and safety, and (2) an exception when equipment is available only from a single vendor in the city's price range and needed for expedited delivery. The presenter said Fire Apparatus Solutions had one assembly‑line unit ready to ship from Georgia, avoiding an 18–24 month lead time the city feared on other options.
The council moved and seconded the resolution; the motion passed. Council discussion included questions about financing options and warranties. The presenter said vendor options included multi‑year financing but that staff had secured funds to complete an outright purchase. He said warranty details were in the proposal and typically run about “a two or three year limited warranty on parts.”
Public comment included praise for the fire department’s services and a speaker who described relying on local firefighters during several family emergencies; that speaker urged council to approve the purchase.
The resolution instructs staff to proceed with purchase from Fire Apparatus Solutions for up to $750,000 and to finalize the required documentation with the county assessor and other administrative steps for procurement and finance.
